Squirrels down Stanley for Laker Invite title
October 9, 2011
By KEVIN MEHRER - Staff Writer (
kmehrer@minotdailynews.com) , Minot Daily News
BURLINGTON - During the 2010 state Class B volleyball tournament, Stanley found a way to advance past Central Cass.
On Saturday at the Laker Invite, Central Cass didn't forget about the loss. The Squirrels swept Stanley in the championship match 2-0 (25-8, 26-24).
"We lost to them in the state tournament last year," CC coach Bridget Stowers said. "To get a win at this tournament, where it's competitive, it is huge for our team."
Stanley coach Jessica Niemitalo admitted Saturday's contest could be considered a "grudge match." She was looking for her team to make a sharper appearance on the court.
"We just needed to show up," Niemitalo said. "We just forgot to show up the first game. And we were letting them do everything they wanted to do. And we were doing nothing that we wanted to do."
During game 1, Central Cass rode the serving arm of senior Haley Weber. Weber led the Squirrels on a 12-0 run to snuff out the Blue Jays.
But in game 2, the Blue Jays squandered their chances of a comeback. Stanley was one point away, 24-18, from forcing a game 3, but struggled with receiving Central Cass serves and gave up eight straight points to lose the match.
"We definitely made it 10 times harder than it needed to be," Stowers said. "But, actually in practice, we always do this. We do situations so that they know they can come back. No matter how far down we are, we can come back and that really paid off here."
Central Cass was also able to control the net with its size.
"They're one of the taller teams we've played, by far," Niemitalo said. "They have a pretty good middle who can place the ball where she wants."
Stowers said she knew Stanley's strength was its power hitters and to match up with them was key.
"We really matched up well with their hitters well with our size," she said. "They have really powerful hitters and we were able to match up with them and stay with them and that really benefited us today."
Stanley senior Jasmin Pappa led the Blue Jays for the tournament totaling 57 kills over 15 games, Chai Pappa was close behind with 53. Senior setter ReeAnn Mehus had 123 assists over 15 games.
Langdon third, Divide County fifth
The Langdon Cardinals swept the Linton-HMB Lions for third place, 25-17, 25-10. No stats were available for either team.
Divide County took the consolation championship over Our Redeemer's 26-24, 25-16. Our Redeemer's Ashley Koppinger had 74 kills over the course of the tournament and Payton Ringoen tallied 88 assists.